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REGULAR MEETING
EL CENTRO CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1275 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO, CA
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026, 3:30 P.M.
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 3:39 p.m. in Conference Room A, El Centro City Hall, 1275 W. Main Street, El Centro, California for the purpose of closed session.
PRESENT: Council: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Sawyer, City Attorney Hoff ABSENT: None
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION
Moved by Marroquin, second by Camarena, to adjourn into closed session for:
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: Patrick Clark
Employee Organization: Firefighters Association, General Employees Unit and Supervisor, Professional, and Technical Employees Unit.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4): One potential case Motion carried unanimously.
Closed Session concluded at 5:59 p.m. (All present)
City Council recessed to 6:00 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
The El Centro City Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 6:10 p.m. in Council Chambers, El Centro City Hall, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, California.
PRESENT: Council: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin City Clerk Wyles, City Manager Sawyer, City Attorney Hoff ABSENT: None
Invocation was given by Council Member Carter and Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America was led by Council Member Marroquin.
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CITY ATTORNEY REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment was received from Captain Freddy Miranda and Joaquin Zambrano.
PRESENATIONS AND/OR ANNOUNCEMENT BY MAYOR:
1. Presentation by Imperial Irrigation District regarding program updates by Sabrina C. Barber, Assistant Manager, Energy Business & Regulatory Energy Department.
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEM 2-7)
Moved by Camarena, second by Marroquin, approving consent item #2-7.
2. Approval of Warrant Registers for the month of January 2026.
3. Approval of Payroll Registers for the month of January 2026.
4. Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2026.
5. Approval of City Council minutes of January 30, 2026, February 3, 2026 and February 11, 2026.
6. Adoption of Resolution No. 26-15, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO TERMINATING RESOLUTON NO. 25-50 PROCLAIMING A LOCAL EMERGENCY FOR REPAIRS OF THE SEWER LIFT STATION AT 3RD STREET AND ROSS AVENUE IN THE CITY OF EL CENTRO.
7. Approval of payments related to the IID Date Drain “3-D” undergrounding at Countryside Drive.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
NEW BUSINESS
8. Presentation by Adriana Nava, Community Services Director, discussion and necessary action regarding 2026-2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Proposal Received.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES
Name of Organization Program Description Amount
Requested
Recommended
Allocation
Catholic Charities - Senior Nutrition Program Food delivery to homebound seniors.
Recommendation that 80% of allocation be utilized
for purchase of food.
$ 25,000 $ 15,000
Catholic Charities – Homeless Day Center Day center designed to cater to the homeless.
Center will provide shelter, bathrooms and
showers, laundry, and supportive services.
$ 25,000 $ 10,410
El Centro PAL
Recreational programs & activities including soccer,
boxing, martial arts, golf, fishing, bowling, tutoring, and mentoring.
$ 15,000 $ 15,000
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The Salvation Army - Social Services Street based mobile outreach and emergency support services to individuals experiencing
homelessness within the city of El Centro
$ 23,000 $ 10,000
TOTAL $ 88,000 $ 50,410
Council discussed several options for the allocation of the funds and came to a conclusion of the recommended activities to fund.
Comments regarding the program were received from Peter Rodriguez.
Moved by Camarena, second by Carter, as presented by staff, specifically to approve the recommendations for Catholic Charities – Senior Nutrition Program in the amount of $15,000, Catholic Charities, Homeless Day Center in the amount of $10,410, El Centro PAL in the amount of $15,000 and The Salvation Army – Social Services in the amount of $10,000.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Ellett
NOES: Crankshaw, Marroquin
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
* Item was moved out of order for discussion by Mayor Crankshaw.
12. Presentation by Adriana Nava, Community Services Director, discussion and related action regarding an extension to the agreement with Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego for the Working Hands Workforce Development Program. Presentation by Antoinette Fallon, Director of Homeless Services in San Diego. Ms. Fallon explained how this program is run and how many people they have helped.
Total of seven people have been helped. Testimonials were given by Helping Hand Participant Laura and Vanessa.
During the meeting, Mayor Pro-Tem Camarena asked several questions regarding the budget and related expenses, which were addressed by Ms. Fallon. Council Member Ellett also posed a number of questions and requested that the Council be given additional time to review agenda reports, particularly when a holiday precedes a Council meeting.
Motion by Marroquin, second by Carter, to extend the agreement for 120 days with Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego for Working Hands Workforce Development Program.
AYES: Carter, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: Camarena
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
9. Presentation by Abraham Campos, Public Works Director/City Engineer, approval of plans and specifications for the Imperial Avenue Phase III Project STPL-5169-(063) and authorize staff to release for public bidding.
Mayor Crankshaw asked questions regarding the funding sources for the construction of the project, as well as the appearance of the streets being constructed.
Motion by Marroquin, second by Camarena, approval of plans and specifications for the Imperial Avenue Phase III Project STPL-5169-(063) and authorize staff to release for public bidding.
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AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
10. Presentation by Abraham Campos, Public Works Director/City Engineer, provide direction regarding diagonal parking proposal surrounding Christ Community Church on 5th and 6th Street. For recommendation only.
Mayor Crankshaw has a few concerns regarding diagonal parking on 5th and 6th Street. One of the concerns is safety and visibility when vehicles back into the travel lane. He asked that a traffic study is done before any action is taken from City Council.
Mayor Pro-Tem Camarena had a question regarding the potential concerns regarding the proposed diagonal parking changes to the streets. She asked if there were many crashes along Main Street because of the diagonal parking along the area. Mr. Campos commented that since Main Street is narrow because of the diagonal parking, people tend to drive slower along Main Street.
All council members expressed concerns about adding diagonal parking at these locations. Mr.
Campos stated that visibility would be obstructed for drivers traveling through the area.
Mayor Crankshaw asked Mr. Campos to return with a recommendation after considering all the concerns raised by the Council.
Mr. Campos stated that the Engineering Department will request a traffic study from the applicant before any encroachment permit is issued, and the item will be brought back to the Council for a final decision.
Pastor Nunn commented that he has been waiting for this project for a little less than a year but that Mr. Campos wanted to bring it to City Council for their recommendation. Pastor Nunn commented on all the projects and properties that the church owns and how many programs they offer to the community.
The City Council discussed the item and emphasized the importance of ensuring that all safety guidelines are followed before any final decisions are made. Mr. Campos stated that restriping will occur on 5th and 6th Street, and he will bring the item back to the Council with a final recommendation.
City Manager Sawyer asked City Council to take a vote to proceed the City Council meeting past the 9:00 pm deadline.
Motion made by Marroquin, second by Camarena, to continue the meeting past 9:00 p.m.
AYES: Carter, Camarena, Crankshaw, Ellett, Marroquin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
11. Motion by Marroquin, second by Carter, approval of Plans and Specification for the Tag Alleyway Paving Project and authorize the soliciting of bids.